I drove my Ferret to get its roadworthy inspection, travelled about two miles no problem. Left it there about 8.30 in morning, The Ferret was not touched until about 17.30 when the garage owner started it so he could move it under cover i.e. nine hours at rest. Started O.K. but just reversing and then driving forward he could smell battery fumes, I think he turned the engine off (or it might have died) and on investigating found the left battery extremely hot and battery was venting acidic fumes ( one terminal connection was slightly loose). Right hand battery appeared normal. After a time break he attached a power pack in place of the hot battery but all the electrics dead (just possible the power pack may not have had a charge in it).
An electrician is going to look at but any suggestions of what the problem is would be gratefully accepted. It appears to have occurred in a period of a minute or two as that is the time he was driving it.
Some potential ideas could be.
·Regulator putting out too much charge, but then why not both batteries showing symptoms.
·Short in battery itself.
·For some reason while the Ferret was at rest something was happening to the battery.
·Battery terminal being loose caused arcing during day.
Why are the electrics dead is there a fuse/contact breaker to look at?
Question
Ken Wales
I drove my Ferret to get its roadworthy inspection, travelled about two miles no problem. Left it there about 8.30 in morning, The Ferret was not touched until about 17.30 when the garage owner started it so he could move it under cover i.e. nine hours at rest. Started O.K. but just reversing and then driving forward he could smell battery fumes, I think he turned the engine off (or it might have died) and on investigating found the left battery extremely hot and battery was venting acidic fumes ( one terminal connection was slightly loose). Right hand battery appeared normal. After a time break he attached a power pack in place of the hot battery but all the electrics dead (just possible the power pack may not have had a charge in it).
An electrician is going to look at but any suggestions of what the problem is would be gratefully accepted. It appears to have occurred in a period of a minute or two as that is the time he was driving it.
Some potential ideas could be.
· Regulator putting out too much charge, but then why not both batteries showing symptoms.
· Short in battery itself.
· For some reason while the Ferret was at rest something was happening to the battery.
· Battery terminal being loose caused arcing during day.
Why are the electrics dead is there a fuse/contact breaker to look at?
Many thanks in anticipation.
Ken
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